The statements on this page summarize the General Education competency areas and learning outcomes (GELOs), list the General Education courses, show the General Education Assessment calendar (the cycle of what gets assessed when), and reports of results.
Philosophy Statement
General Education encompasses a broad set of courses. Students come to understand how distinct disciplines comprehend the modern world from different vantage points. Students learn basic principles, concepts and methodologies both unique to and shared by the various disciplines, enabling them to think critically and communicate well. Most importantly, General Education coursework prepares students for meaningful, lifelong learning, and is as relevant to those seeking occupational preparation as it is to those intending to transfer to a four-year institution. General Education courses are listed in the current course catalog.
Competency Areas and General Education Learning Outcomes
As of Fall 2019.
Communication
- Determine the meaning of words as they are used in context.
- Interpret others’ ideas in written and spoken form.
- Construct written and/or verbal arguments.
- Create compositions for specific contexts.
Critical Thinking
- Use information to inquire and problem solve.
- Draw conclusions based on relevant criteria and standards.
- Examine issues by identifying and challenging assumptions.
- Organize observations on specific problems and issues.
- Evaluate solutions based on practical and/or ethical implications.
- Evaluate the relevance of arguments.
Diverse Perspectives
- Analyze the interdependence of distinctive world-wide social, economic, geo-political, and cultural systems.
- Examine individual as well as others’ personal ethical systems and values within social institutions.
- Interpret historic, political, cultural, social, environmental, or economic factors that shape diverse groups and institutions.
- Interpret the human condition and cultures in works of art.
- Assess the impact social institutions have on individuals and cultures.
- Evaluate the impact the arts and humanities have on individuals and cultures.
Information Literacy
- Adhere to guidelines for using information.
- Differentiate degrees of credibility, accuracy, and reliability of data.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
- Use processes and models to solve quantitative problems.
- Interpret data presented graphically, symbolically, and numerically.
- Represent mathematical information numerically, symbolically, and visually, using graphs and charts.
- Reason by deduction, induction and analogy.
Scientific Reasoning
- Apply scientific concepts to explain the natural world.
- Apply scientific concepts to explain the physical world.
- Explain scientific concepts or conclusions through the interpretation of graphs, tables, or diagrams.
- Use scientific concepts to analyze environmental issues and civic responsibility.
- Engage the scientific method of inquiry, analysis, and problem solving.
Teamwork
- Examine social responsibilities, ethics, and individual rights in a democratic society.
- Demonstrate skills needed to enhance professional and/or academic performance standards.
- Formulate responses to different points of view.
- Evaluate the impact of an individual’s decision(s) on personal and/or professional goals.
Assessment Cycle
The General Education Outcomes, and associated Competencies, are assessed on an academic year basis.
| Semester | Communication | Critical Thinking | Diverse Perspectives | Information Literacy | Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning | Scientific Reasoning | Teamwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | X | X | X | X | |||
| Spring | X | X | X |